Having kids is great, of course, and you wouldn’t change them for the world (barring a few annoying habits, at least), and family vacations are wonderful, but that doesn’t mean taking the opportunity to have a weekend away with your partner - or perhaps even by yourself if you prefer! - isn’t a good idea from time to time. In fact, it can actually strengthen the bond you have with your family and remind you why you love them so much while also giving you a chance to really relax and do something just for you for once.
So if you think it’s time you packed your bags and left the little ones in the safe hands of Grandma or a (very) trusted babysitter, why not? The key is to prepare in advance so you can really make the most of your time away. With that in mind, keep reading to find out what to do.
Plan Ahead But Stay Flexible
While it’s absolutely crucial to have a rough plan of what you’re going to do once you get to wherever it is you’re going without the kids (just let that sink in for a moment), it’s vital you don’t go mad and start to plan every single minute of every single day. If you do that, you’ll lose a lot of the fun of things, and you might end up coming home more stressed than you were when you went away, and yes, that is possible.
The best thing to do is to have a few must-do activities or attractions on your list, as well as important timings (like your flights, for example), and just go with the flow for everything else. It might feel strange at first, but you’ll soon get the hang of it.
Do Your Research
Another essential thing to do when you’re going away for the weekend is to thoroughly research where you’re going. After all, if you’ve only got a couple of days, and maybe not even that when you consider traveling time, you’ll want to be sure you’re making the right choice and that there will be plenty to keep you occupied during your time away.
The last thing you’re going to want is to end up somewhere that’s not a lot of fun or that could be your hometown - after all, what’s the point of going away if everything’s the same? Look for something different that’s going to suit both of you, and you should be more than happy.
Do Adult Activities
Obviously what you do on your weekend away without the kids is your own choice, but why not choose to do at least a few things that you wouldn’t be able to do with them around? If you’d typically opt for a fast-food restaurant or a kid-friendly place, how about booking a table at a fancy restaurant instead? Or what about going to Vegas and spending time in the casinos? You could even prepare by reading an article about shooting dice so you can step right in and feel at home. Perhaps you could go to a nightclub or the theatre or stay up all night to watch the sunrise - if it’s something you can’t do when the kids are around, make the most of your alone time and enjoy!